Hi, and welcome to the GoonersGuide.com Glossary of Betting Terms and Jargon.
Sports betting has it's own culture and like all cultures quickly develops it's own set of terms and jargon that are not easy to pick up and often draw from historical stuff.
Here's a rundown of the most common (or colourful) terms that you might see on the site, at your bookie or on social media.
Terms are listed alphabetically within 4 groupings: A-E, F-N, O-S and T-Z.
A - B
ACCUMULATOR A cumulative bet where the punter selects several matches or events and bets on the first one; if he wins, the winnings become his bet on the next; and so on (see also FOLD bets).
ANTE-POST Ante-post prices are those offered prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out. (see FUTURES bets)
ARBITRAGE Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win.
ATS Against the spread.
BAD BEAT A tough loss (esp. in poker but applicable to any "unexpected" gambling loss).
BANKER A "sure thing" bet. An almost guaranteed winner. A "Lock" . Also, in permutation bets the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns.
BETTOR Someone who has a bet. A "punter" in the UK.
BOOK A bookie's tally of amounts bet on each game, competition, etc. & odds necessary to assure him of profit.
BOOKMAKER OR BOOKIE A person or company who accepts bets from the public, usually on racing or sports events. Sportsbook.
BUCK A bet of $100 USD (also known as a "dollar bet").
C - D
CANADIAN A multiple bet consisting of 26 bets (10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 4-folds and 1 5-fold) with 5 selections in different events (also known as a "Super Yankee").
CENTURY £100 GBP (also known as a "ton").
CHALK (US) The Betting favourite.
CHALK PLAYER Someone who usually only wagers on the favourites.
COVER In sports betting, beating the spread by a required number of points. To "cover the spread".
DIME A bet of $1,000 USD, also known as a "dime bet" (US).
DOG The underdog in any betting proposition.
DOG PLAYER A punter who mainly wagers on the underdog.
DOLLAR BET A $100 bet.
DOUBLING UP The basis of some widely used systems. After a loss the player doubles the size of his previous bet hoping to win back the money lost and make a profit. Also known as a Martingale system.
DRIFT When the odds on a competitor "lengthen", they are said to have "drifted" or be "on the drift".
E - F
EDGE The advantage you have.
EACH WAY A bet consisting of two wagers. The first is for the selection to win and the second is for the selection to place (eg come in top 5).
EVENS Odds of 1 to 1 (also known as "scotch" or "levels").
EVEN MONEY A wager which doubles your stake.
EXOTIC WAGER Any wager which is not a straight bet, eg round robin, parlay, teaser. (US)
FIN 50 dollars.
FOLD A fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator (e.g. 5-Fold=5 selections).
FORM Past performances used to give an indication of the team's chances.
FORM PLAYER A punter who makes selections from past performance (often via a computer based system).
FUTURES Odds offered on winners of sporting events in advance of the event itself (see Ante Post).
G - L
GOLIATH A multiple consisting of 247 bets (28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 4-folds, 56 5-folds, 28 6-folds, 8 7-folds and 1 8-fold) involving 8 selections in different events.
CRAND £1,000 (also known as a "big 'un").
HANDICAP A method used by bookmakers to make a one-sided event become a more attractive betting proposition. Teams are awarded a number of points based on their calibre (also known as the "pointspread" or "line").
HANG CHENG (ASIAN HANDICAP) Form of soccer betting esp. popular in Asia, where returns on a team winning or drawing are determined by part-goal handicaps.
HEINZ A multiple bet consisting of 57 bets (15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 4-folds, 6 5-folds and 1 6-fold) involving 6 teams in different matches.
JUICE The commission paid to the bookmaker (also known as overround). (More on vig, Juice, bookie margin)
LOCK Sure or easy winner (see banker).
LONG ODDS Odds (e.g. 100 to 1) offered against a team or play unlikely to win or occur.
LINES Handicaps, poitspreads and odds offered to the punter.
LONG SHOT The outsider or unfancied team, usually against which "long odds" have been offered.
LUCKY 15, 31, 63 Multiple bets on all possible combinations of 4, 5 or 6 selections. A Lucky 15 (same as a Yap) is 4 selections, so 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 accumulator = 15 bets.
M - O
MARTINGALE Betting system based on doubling-up. Not recommended by the Gooner!
MONKEY £500 GBP.
MONEY LINE This type of bet can be used in any sports bet, and is referred to as the amount you must bet on a favorite to win $100, or the amount you win on an underdog if you bet $100.
NAP The selection that tipsters nominate as their strongest selection of the day or event. (Possibly from "Napoleon").
NICKEL A bet of $500 USD. (US)
ODDS The bookmaker's view of the chance of a team winning or event happening (adjusted to include a profit).
ODDS AGAINST Where the odds are greater than evens (eg "5 to 2").
ODDS ON Where the odds are shorter than evens (eg "4 to 6"). If the selection wins, the amount won is less than the amount staked (don't forget, you get your stake back as well!).
OUTSIDER Long shot (also known as "The Rag").
OVER/UNDER A bet on whether the combined total of the points scored by the two teams will be more or less than a preestablished number.
OVERROUND Profit margin in the bookmaker's favour.
P - R
PARLAY Term for an accumulator bet in US. Also, a wager on two or more teams in which both must win or "cover" for the bet to be lucrative.
PATENT A multiple bet consisting of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events. A single on each selection, plus 3 doubles and 1 treble.
PERMUTATIONS It is possible to "perm" bets or selections (e.g. on 4 selections all the possible doubles could be "permed" making 6 bets).
PICKS Also known as "tips", picks are the recommended bets from an "expert".
POINTSPREAD The start that the favourite gives the underdog. Also known as the "line" or "handicap".
PONY £25.
PUNTER UK term for someone who has a bet (US ="bettor").
PUSH When neither side wins the game. A tie. All money will be returned to the bettors.
ROUNDABOUT A wager consisting of 3 bets involving 3 selections in different events (i.e. 1 single and to come and double stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times)..
ROUND ROBIN A bet consisting of 10 bets (3 pairs of "single stake" bets plus 3 doubles and 1 treble) involving three selections in different events.
S - T
SCORE £20.
SGM A Same Game Multi allows you to combine multiple single bets from markets contained within the same match or event.
SHOO IN A supposed cinch bet or guaranteed victor. Also, a fixed outcome. (US)
SINGLE A "straight" bet on one selection to win. The simplest bet to place and the most common.
SPREAD BETTING A bet is won or lost according to whether you correctly predict the result of an event (also known as "action line" or "money line"). Returns or losses are calculated in proportion to how right or wrong the punter is, and can lead to huge returns or huge losses.
SPREADS Also known as handicaps.
SUPER YANKEE (or Canadian) A Super Yankee is a multiple bet with five selections instead of four.
SURE THING Any bet that has very little chance of losing.
SYSTEM A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a punter to try for an advantage.
TEASER A pointspread based bet where the punter can move the line in his favour (in return for reduced odds).
TIPS The selections recommended by an expert to bet on (also known as "picks").
TIPSTER A person who makes recommendation on the outcome of matches to punters.
TOTALS Sports bet on whether the total score will be over/under a given mark.
TREBLE A bet consisting of 3 selections, all of which must win for the wager to be successful.
TRIXIE A multiple bet consisting of 4 bets (3 doubles and 1 treble) with 3 selections in different events.
TURF ACCOUNTANT A bookmaker. (UK)
U - Z
UNDER DOG The team that receives a point start in a handicap. An unlikely winner. A long shot.
VALUE Where the odds offered exceed the probability of the bet happening. ev = expected value.
VIGORISH The bookmaker's commission (also known as "vig" or "juice").
WINNING MARGIN A bet to predict the winning margin of one team over another.
WISE GUY A knowledgeable or well-informed bettor or handicapper. (US)
"x" Refers to 'a draw' on a soccer betting coupon. 1X2 refers to the practice of picking a a home win (1), away win (2) or a draw (X). (Same as HDA Home Draw Away
YANKEE A multiple bet consisting of 11 bets (6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 4-fold) on 4 selections in different events.
ZERO The real value of the advice of most paid tipsters and their betting systems!
A - E
Accumulator A cumulative bet is where the punter selects several matches or events and bets on the first one; if they win, the winnings become the punter's bet on the next bet; and so on (see also FOLD bets).
Chalk Player Someone who usually only wagers on the favourites.
Ante-Post Ante-post prices are those offered prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out. (see FUTURES bets)
Cover In sports betting, beating the spread by a required number of points. To "cover the spread".
Arbitrage Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win.
Dime A bet of $1,000 USD, also known as a "dime bet" (US).
ATS Against the spread.
Dog The underdog in any betting proposition.
Bad Beat A tough loss (esp. in poker but applicable to any "unexpected" gambling loss).
Dog Player A punter who mainly wagers on the underdog.
Banker A "sure thing" bet. An almost guaranteed winner. A "Lock" . Also, in permutation bets the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns.
Dollar Bet A $100 bet.
Bettor Someone who has a bet. A "punter" in the UK.
Doubling-up The basis of some widely used systems. After a loss the player doubles the size of his previous bet hoping to win back the money lost and make a profit. Also known as a Martingale system.
Book A bookie's tally of amounts bet on each game, competition, etc. & odds necessary to assure him of profit.
Drift When the odds on a competitor "lengthen", they are said to have "drifted" or be "on the drift".
Bookmaker or Bookie A person or company who accepts bets from the public, usually on racing or sports events. Sportsbook.
Edge The advantage you have.
Buck A bet of $100 USD (also known as a "dollar bet").
Each Way A bet consisting of two wagers. The first is for the selection to win and the second is for the selection to place (eg come in top 5).
Canadian A multiple bet consisting of 26 bets (10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 4-folds and 1 5-fold) with 5 selections in different events (also known as a "Super Yankee").
Evens Odds of 1 to 1 (also known as "scotch" or "levels").
Century £100 GBP (also known as a "ton").
Even Money A wager which doubles your stake.
Chalk (US) The Betting favourite.
Exotic Wager Any wager which is not a straight bet, eg round robin, parlay, teaser. (US)
Accumulator A cumulative bet where the punter selects several matches or events and bets on the first one; if he wins, the winnings become his bet on the next; and so on (see Fold bets).
Ante-Post Ante-post prices are those offered prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out. (see Futures bets)
Arbitrage Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win.
ATS Against the spread.
Bad Beat A tough loss (esp. in poker but applicable to any "unexpected" gambling loss).
Banker A "sure thing" bet. An almost guaranteed winner. A "Lock" . Also, in permutation bets the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns.
Bettor Someone who has a bet. A "punter" in the UK.
Book A bookie's tally of amounts bet on each game, competition, etc. & odds necessary to assure him of profit.
Bookmaker or Bookie A person or company who accepts bets from the public, usually on racing or sports events. Sportsbook.
Buck A bet of $100 USD (also known as a "dollar bet").
Canadian A multiple bet consisting of 26 bets (10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 4-folds and 1 5-fold) with 5 selections in different events (also known as a "Super Yankee").
Century £100 GBP (also known as a "ton").
Chalk (US) The Betting favourite.
Chalk Player Someone who usually only wagers on the favourites.
Cover In sports betting, beating the spread by a required number of points. To "cover the spread".
Dime A bet of $1,000 USD, also known as a "dime bet" (US).
Dog The underdog in any betting proposition.
Dog Player A punter who mainly wagers on the underdog.
Dollar Bet A $100 bet.
Doubling-up The basis of some widely used systems. After a loss the player doubles the size of his previous bet hoping to win back the money lost and make a profit. Also known as a Martingale system.
Drift When the odds on a competitor "lengthen", they are said to have "drifted" or be "on the drift".
Edge The advantage you have.
Each Way A bet consisting of two wagers. The first is for the selection to win and the second is for the selection to place (eg come in top 5).
Evens Odds of 1 to 1 (also known as "scotch" or "levels").
Even Money A wager which doubles your stake.
Exotic Wager Any wager which is not a straight bet, eg round robin, parlay, teaser. (US)
.
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UK & Australian licenced, bet365 is popular with bettors from a range of countries and has multiple secure payment methods and language support available. No USA bettors.
Cloudbet welcomes members from most countries on the globe (except the USA, UK, China, Hong Kong & Singapore) Cloudbet is a specialist crypto sportsbook.
F - N
Fin 50 dollars.
Lock Sure or easy winner (see banker).
Fold A fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator (e.g. 5-Fold=5 selections).
Long Odds Odds (e.g. 100 to 1) offered against a team or play unlikely to win or occur.
Form Past performances used to give an indication of the team's chances.
Lines Handicaps, pointspreads and odds offered to the punter.
Form Player A punter who makes selections from past performance (often via a computer based system).
Longshot The outsider or unfancied team, usually against which "long odds" have been offered.
Futures Odds offered on winners of sporting events in advance of the event itself (see Ante Post).
Lucky 15,31,63 Multiple bets on all possible combinations of 4, 5 or 6 selections. A Lucky 15 (same as a Yap) is 4 elections, so 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 accumulator = 15 bets.
Goliath A multiple consisting of 247 bets (28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 4-folds, 56 5-folds, 28 6-folds, 8 7-folds and 1 8-fold) involving 8 selections in different events.
Martingale Betting system based on doubling-up. Not recommended by the Gooner!
Grand £1,000 (also known as a "big 'un").
Monkey £500 GBP.
Handicap A method used by bookmakers to make a one-sided event become a more attractive betting proposition. Teams are awarded a number of points based on their calibre (also known as the "pointspread" or "line").
Money line This type of bet can be used in any sports bet, and is referred to as the amount you must bet on a favorite to win $100, or the amount you win on an underdog if you bet $100.
Hang Cheng (Asian Handicap) Form of soccer betting esp. popular in Asia, where returns on a team winning or drawing are determined by part-goal handicaps. More on Asian Handicap bets.
Nap The selection that tipsters nominate as their strongest selection of the day or event. (Possibly from "Napoleon").
Heinz A multiple bet consisting of 57 bets (15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 4-folds, 6 5-folds and 1 6-fold) involving 6 teams in different matches.
Nickel A bet of $500 USD. (US)
Juice The commission paid to the bookmaker (also known as overround).
.
O - S
Odds The bookmaker's view of the chance of a team winning or event happening (adjusted to include a profit).
Push When neither side wins the game. A tie. All money will be returned to the bettors.
Odds-against Where the odds are greater than evens (eg "5 to 2").
Roundabout A wager consisting of 3 bets involving 3 selections in different events (i.e. 1 single and to come and double stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times).
Odds-on Where the odds are shorter than evens (eg "4 to 6"). If the selection wins, the amount won is less than the amount staked (don't forget, you get your stake back as well).
Round Robin A bet consisting of 10 bets (3 pairs of "single stake" bets plus 3 doubles and 1 treble) involving three selections in different events.
Outsider Long shot (also known as "The Rag").
Score £20.
Over/under A bet on whether the combined total of the points scored by the two teams will be more or less than a pre-established number.
SGM A Same Game Multi allows you to combine multiple single bets from markets contained within the same match or event.
Overround Profit margin in the bookmaker's favour. (More on Overround)
Shoo In A supposed cinch bet or guaranteed victor. Also, a fixed outcome. (US)
Parlay Term for an accumulator bet in US. Also, a wager on two or more teams in which both must win or "cover" for the bet to be lucrative.
Single A "straight" bet on one selection to win. The simplest bet to place and the most common.
Patent A multiple bet consisting of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events. A single on each selection, plus 3 doubles and 1 treble.
Spread Betting A bet is won or lost according to whether you correctly predict the result of an event (also known as "action line" or "money line"). Returns or losses are calculated in proportion to how right or wrong the punter is, and can lead to huge returns or huge losses.
Permutations It is possible to "perm" bets or selections (e.g. on 4 selections all the possible doubles could be "permed" making 6 bets).
Spreads Also known as handicaps.
Picks Also known as "tips", picks are the recommended bets from an "expert".
Super Yankee (or Canadian) A Super Yankee is a multiple bet with five selections instead of four.
Pointspread The start that the favourite gives the underdog. Also known as the "line" or "handicap".
Sure Thing Any bet that has very little chance of losing.
Pony - £25.
System A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a punter to try for an advantage.
Punter UK term for someone who has a bet (US ="bettor").
.
Bet365 and Cloudbet Online Bookmakers offer the best Asian Handicap Odds.
For great football coverage and the best Asian Handicap Odds on the Internet these two bookmakers are outstanding:
T - Z
Teaser A pointspread based bet where the punter can move the line in his favour (in return for reduced odds).
Value (or + ev) Where the odds offered exceed the probability of the bet happening. ev = expected value.
Tips The selections recommended by an expert to bet on (also known as "picks").
Vigorish The bookmaker's commission (also known as "vig" or "juice").
Tipster A person who makes recommendation on the outcome of matches to punters.
Winning Margin A bet to predict the winning margin of one team over another.
Totals Sports bet on whether the total score will be over/under a given mark.
Wise Guy A knowledgeable or well-informed bettor or handicapper. (US)
Treble A bet consisting of 3 selections, all of which must win for the wager to be successful.
"X" Refers to 'a draw' on a soccer betting coupon. 1X2 refers to the practice of picking a a home win (1), away win (2) or a draw (X). (Same as HDA).
Trixie A multiple bet consisting of 4 bets (3 doubles and 1 treble) with 3 selections in different events.
Yankee A multiple bet consisting of 11 bets (6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 4-fold) on 4 selections in different events.
Turf Accountant A bookmaker. (UK)
Zero The real value of the advice of most paid tipsters and their betting systems!
Underdog The team that receives a point start in a handicap. An unlikely winner. A long shot.
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Guide to Football Betting Terms and Jargon
Free betting tips and guidance by independent punters - part of a series of pages in our Online Betting Toolkit
